cancry | halcyon days

[So, things were going fine- they were planning to counter this strange contest Esme had dropped in their laps. Kingslayer was willing, at least little, to talk to him again. He had recently been cleaned up by Ruin so no longer looked (or smelled) quite so feral. Lion was doing okay.

Lion is no longer doing okay. And can be found pacing the Executor House like his namesake. Occasionally stopping to write frantically on a piece of paper on the dining room table but never sitting down for long.

If anyone pauses to read it he won't stop them: it's three lists of names, each under an animal-based title: Blue Lions, Black Eagels, Golden Deer. Next to the Lions list, he has an arrow- Source of my name???? and more arrows pointed to the House Leader slot of both the Lions (`me`) and the Eagles ('other House Leader, can't remember them. Why? I can remember Claude but not them...`) and at the end of the Lions list (`4 others here, but can't remember them??? One was a retainer to me I think? And the other three are in a lot of memories- we were close???`)

And above all the lists, underlined and circled: Professor Byleth Eisner

He's having a bad time]

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[ Oh no. They might call him Lion, but when his face falls like that, he looks more like a kicked puppy. ]

Oh, n–no, no, I just– I didn't want to startle you, when you're so busy...

[ But with his reassurance, she does draw a little closer. ]

Is everything okay?

Everything is... acceptable? Upsetting but not- not like before.

[He's frowning but it looks more like he's thinking very hard, not fighting ghosts in a mad panic like before. He groans and rubs the bridge of his nose]

It's... given me a headache...

[ And Rei's face falls in turn. ]

More memories...

[ She feels a twist of guilt in her stomach as she regards him. With every memory he and the other Executors regain, it seems to bring about some sort of upset. Maybe that's natural, to mourn what's been lost, but...

It makes her wonder sometimes, if it would've been kinder to let them go back to being Specters. ]

Um– is there anything I can do to help...?

...talk to me? Perhaps a break would do me some good.

Right. Maybe we could go for a walk, as well? I'm sure it'd help to step away from all your notes for a while. It always helps me.

Oh... yes, that sounds lovely, actually.

[Rei, you are a genius]

Okay, then. Let's get something to eat and head to the library, maybe?

[ And with that, she reaches out, offering her hand for Lion to take and follow along with her. ]

[He blinks down at her for a moment. And after a moment takes it]

...your hand is warm.

[He's not wearing his Executor armor or his riding gloves for once thanks to Ruin's makeover, so it's been a while since he's touched another bare hand]

[ She blinks, surprised, but then she gives him a little smile, looking caught between pleased and embarrassed. ]

That doesn't mean 'sweaty', does it?

Goddess, no! Just... I'm not used to much casual contact like this.

Really? Even after all this time?

[ That's... kind of sad. ]

Well, of course, I get more of it here. But remembering more of my life now, I can say it's the exception. There was my status as royalty to consider, and... well my strength here is apparently echoed there. I could easily kill someone if I wasn't careful.

Here though... I mostly avoid it. I'm not sure why.

[ Rei looks up at him for a long moment, like she's not sure really how she should respond. But finally, she gives Lion a smile and his hand a little squeeze. ]

Well... it's not like there's anything you could do to us here that's worse than what's already happened.

[ Death Jokes! ]

So... we can help. But we can take as much time as you need, okay?

[He blushes and sputters]

Lady Rei, please do not joke! But... thank you. I hope it's not too much of a burden to you.

[ She shakes her head. ]

No, it's not a burden at all! It's the least I can do. I mean... if it wasn't for all of you, then I'd be all alone here. I never would've been able to make it even down to Invidia, and who knows what would've happened to me while I was trying.

We've only got each other to rely on, so we have to look out for each other.

[He smiles and nods]

Then I shall be someone you can rely on.

halcyon days

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